One dead in explosion at BP compression station

Durango Herald
June 25, 2012

By Dale Rodebaugh By , Shane BenjaminHerald staff writers


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DAVID BERGELAND/Durango Herald

Officials at the scene of an explosion at a methane compression station about five miles east of Elmore’s Corner on U.S. Highway 160.

GEM VILLAGE – An explosion at a large gas compression station owned by BP killed one worker and seriously injured two others.

The explosion, which occurred about 8:15 a.m. today at BP’s Piñon Compression Station, temporarily closed U.S. Highway 160 five miles east of Elmore’s Corner.

“At this time our immediate concern is for the people involved,” said Julie Levy, a local spokeswoman for BP.

The plant has been shutdown, and there is no remaining threat to workers or the public, she said.

“The incident is essentially over,” Levy said.

One contract worker died and two contract workers were injured, she said. Eleven workers were on site at the time of the explosion.

“Everybody has been accounted for, and there is nothing ongoing about this incident,” she said.

Residents in the area reported hearing the explosion.

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